Tuesday, January 13, 2009

4-Year Grades

Who is the most polarizing figure in recent Packer history? Other than, "He's going to return the punt." "No, he's going to fumble when the ball bounces off his facemask." "No, he's going to return the punt." "No, he's going to fumble when the ball bounces off his facemask" T-Buck. Ding, ding, ding! That's right: Ted Thompson.

I have decided to assign grades to Ted Thompson on his four-year tenure with Packers. I chose to ignore his first stint in the offices at 1265 Lombardi Ave, although you should check out his bio. It is an interesting read.

People Skills: F TT is notoriously prickly and lacks the muscles needed to smile for longer than 3 seconds. He keeps his cards close to his chest and will maul anyone who tries to peek. This is not a bad thing. He is a man's-man, and I would rather have a mean S.O.B. running my team than Sugar Bear (scroll to: Other Uses, #5).Drafts: C Produced Aaron Rodgers, Nick Collins, Greg Jennings, Braveleg, and if nothing else gets a slap on the back for sheer number of picks accumulated. He drops considerably in grade when you apply his philosophy about building through the draft and then a lack of immediate production by rookies, especially in 2008. Jordy Nelson was the only draftee to see significant time on the field. I think Justin Harrell has gotten about ten second chances – don't you usually only get one? Unless, you're Robert Downey Jr., I guess.Free Agency: C Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett earn high marks, but Brandon "I look like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, please love me" Chillar did little to bolster the linebacking corps, which was obviously a weakness this past season. Other than these guys, it appears TT fears free agency like it's a flesh-eating virus. Fine, stick to what you know I guess, but one free agent can make all the difference. Jordan Gross {a-hem}.Trades: B Stingy guys don't give up a lot. TT doesn't give up a lot. Read that as you will. He stole Ryan Grant from the bottom of the Giants' RB crew. Well done, I say. Other than that, he gets a whole boatload of draft picks. Fine, when you need them for the shotgun approach.Salary Cap: B Give it to Jennings. Give it to Collins. You saved it, now do it. If he wants to reward from within, I get that, but lining a free agent's pockets with $100 bills and Johnsonville brats can also be a productive way of spending your money too.Northeastern WI Ric Flair Lookalike Contest:A+ Every time the camera pans to Thompson in his private suite, I'm certain he is one Rodgers to Jennings TD away from standing up and screaming, "WHOOOOOO!" You've thought of this, I know you have.Overall: C Could have been better (Randy Moss), could have been worse (we could still have Mike Sherman). If nothing else, he provides a viable topic of conversation among Packer fans which is all anyone can really ask for, right?

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